Butterflies of
the Amazon and Andes
Remo Tufted Skipper
Nisoniades
remo
Family - HESPERIIDAE
subfamily -
PYRGINAE
Tribe - PYRGINI
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Nisoniades
remo,
Boca Manu, Madre de Dios, Peru |
Introduction
The
tribe Pyrgini
are found
throughout the world in all habitats. In the neotropical region there no less
than 83 genera, and about 540 described species. Unfortunately there are no
illustrated reference works which cover the entire fauna, so identifying many of
them is often very difficult.
The suffused but distinct markings,
and the 3 whitish spots near the apex clearly identify the illustrated butterfly
as a member of the genus Nisoniades. It should be noted that there is
another neotropical genus with an almost identical name -
Niconiades ( Hesperiinae ).
There are
33 Nisoniades species, most of which are very
similar in appearance, so determining the exact species from a photograph is
almost impossible. To quote one of my contacts "most
of the specimens in collections are just worn brown things". This is one of the
many skippers that can only be identified accurately by dissecting the
genitalia, dissolving away the soft tissue, and examining the remaining
chitinous organs under a powerful microscope. One of my other contacts has the confidence to venture that the butterfly is "probably" either
N. remo or N. supra,
both of which are endemic to the lowlands of southern Peru.
Habitats
This species was photographed at an estimated altitude of 250m, on a sandbank at
Boca Manu, Rio Madre de Dios, Peru. This area comprises mainly of severely
disturbed riparian forest. The butterfly is probably restricted to altitudes
between about 150-600m, in primary and disturbed rainforest.
Lifecycle
Pyrgine butterflies typically lay their eggs singly on either
the upperside or underside of leaves. The larvae are usually
dull green or brownish, with thin longitudinal lines along the
back and sides, and with black shiny heads. Most feed on low
growing herbaceous plants, but a small percentage feed on the
leaves of bushes or trees. The pupae are usually dark and
smooth, with the wing cases in a contrasting tone or colour.
They are normally formed within silken tents formed by spinning
together the leaves of the foodplant.
Adult behaviour
The
butterfly was seen in the company of
Ebrietas anacreon, Gorgopas trochilus,
Antigonus nearchus and several other
Pyrgine skippers, imbibing mineralised moisture from the muddy
banks of a river in full sunlight at midday.
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